Syrian planes pound Aleppo

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian warplanes dumped explosive-laden barrel bombs over opposition-held parts of the northern city of Aleppo today, the fourth day of a relentless offensive to drive rebels out of the contested city, activists said.

The assault has killed more than 165 people in the first three days, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group.

The intensity of the campaign suggests that President Bashar Assad’s government is trying to crush opposition in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and once its commercial hub, ahead of an international peace conference scheduled for late January in Switzerland.

Good morning! The region got just a dusting of new snow overnight, and temperatures settled in the mid- and lower 20s. The forecast: some snow showers, and a high of 28.Coming up today in your Indiana Gazette, as the countdown reaches seven days left before Christmas ...Indiana County Judge William Martin has signed off on the county Republicans' recommendation to name Michael Baker to replace Dav